Missouri Workers Lose Paid Sick Leave: What Happened?

Missouri workers who had just started earning paid sick leave will lose it soon. This change comes from a new law signed by Governor Mike Kehoe. The law also stops the minimum wage from going up with inflation.

Business Groups Influence

Business groups wanted this change. They argued that the paid sick leave law was too much for businesses to handle. They also said it could be abused by workers. Lawmakers agreed and passed the bill quickly, even though many voters had supported the original measure.

Impact on Workers

The paid sick leave law was supposed to help about 728,000 workers who didn't have it before. It allowed workers to earn paid time off for sickness or to care for sick family members. But now, all that is gone.

Governor's Stance

Governor Kehoe said he signed the bill to help small businesses. He believes the law was too costly for them. But critics say this move hurts workers and ignores the will of the voters.

Historical Context

This isn't the first time Missouri lawmakers have overturned voter-approved measures. Over the past 15 years, they have done this several times. This has made some groups push for constitutional amendments instead of regular laws. Amendments are harder to change because they need a statewide vote.

The Bigger Picture

The battle over paid sick leave shows a bigger fight between business interests and worker protections. Business groups say these laws hurt growth, while supporters argue they help workers and, in turn, businesses.

The repeal of paid sick leave and the freeze on minimum wage increases show how politics can change the lives of everyday workers. It also shows how powerful business groups can be in shaping laws.